Longview, TX Good Shepherd Medical Center

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Just for the record, Good Shepherd in Marshall did not care about my well being. They did their "Shotgun Therapy" on me just to get me well enough to get me out of the hospital without regards to what was actually wrong with me. 7 days in Marshall and they kicked me out without doing ANY necessa…

A big thank you to Dr Lutz and his staff for a job well done. Due to their care and patience, my wife Sharon Johnson still has her toes which she was in danger of losing. Thanks again to Dr Lutz and staff,

From Business: Good Shepherd Health System includes two medical centers, more than 30 provider office locations, emergency services, immediate care centers, a full range of outpatient services and our health and wellness facility, the Institute for Healthy Living. Our multi-specialty network of providers is focused on patient-centered ca…

I went for a drug screen. The two women who administered the drug screen is the test in front of me and I was not allowed to dispute it at all. I was terminated from my job I am currently filing a formal complaint with the Texas Medical Board

Tips & Advice

Do medical centers provide specialty care?

Academic medical centers provide the widest range of specialty care treatments, including the latest technological advances, clinical trials, and surgical techniques. In general, an academic medical center is a better choice than a community hospital for complicated treatments or rare diseases. Pediatric intensive care, especially, is usually performed at academic medical centers.

What are the types of specialists found at academic medical centers?

Academic medical centers offer a broad range of specialized services, from allergists to urologists. Some of the larger medical centers have entire hospitals or clinics focused on a particular medical service, such as cancer treatment, though specialties vary among the centers. Patients whose community hospital or local doctors do not have the facilities or expertise to address complex medical conditions can be referred by their primary care physician or local specialist to a major medical center (there are more than a dozen in the United States).

Do medical centers offer outpatient services?

Yes. In addition to their inpatient hospital services, medical centers can offer a wide variety of outpatient services, such as pain clinics, rehabilitation centers, surgery, imaging and laboratory, mental health treatment, and outpatient cancer treatment. Medical groups – doctors in private practice but affiliated with the medical center--will also have offices within the medical center.

Medical center accreditation is not required, but most centers work voluntarily toward accreditation because it represents higher standards of healthcare quality and patient safety.

How are medical centers different from hospitals?

A hospital is part of a medical center if it is affiliated with a university, but a medical center will also include doctors’ offices and a medical school. Hospitals provide short-term care for severe health issues. Medical centers can include longer-term and experimental treatments not found in community hospitals. Both can include either inpatient or outpatient care.

How are medical centers different from urgent care centers?

A medical center can provide a full array of medical treatments and services because it includes both doctors’ offices and a hospital with a 24-hour emergency room. Potentially life-threatening symptoms should be seen at a hospital. An urgent care center (often called a “walk-in clinic”) provides basic-level outpatient care without an appointment and has fixed hours. An urgent care center might be affiliated with a medical center, but many are not.

Do medical centers provide laboratory services?

Many medical centers provide laboratory services “in house,” others outsource their lab services to a separate, for-profit company, and some develop joint ventures between the hospital and an outside lab. Outside companies may still own the lab that is physically on-site at a medical center. It’s worth asking who owns the lab, because it might or might not be “in network” on your insurance plan.

Are patients always able to see the same doctor at a medical center?

Patients of doctors in private practice or clinics at the medical center can expect to see the same doctor regularly. Hospital inpatients may also see other doctors over the course of their stay, during hospital rounds or if multiple specialists are needed for treatment.

What is an academic medical center?

An academic medical center is a combined medical school and university-based hospital, also called a “teaching hospital.” Academic medical centers combine education, research, and clinical care. They use technologies, resources and therapies that may not be available at other hospitals.

Just for the record, Good Shepherd in Marshall did not care about my well being. They did their "Shotgun Therapy" on me just to get me well enough to get me out of the hospital without regards to what was actually wrong with me. 7 days in Marshall and they kicked me out without doing ANY necessary test or treatments. 7 days later I went back into the hospital in Longview and within the 1st 30 hours they ran EVERY test that was necessary and found everything that was wrong and immediately started the treatments that I needed. They did not assume what MIGHT be wrong with me and send me home as though I was wasting their time. They also did not falsify ANY of my reports! The only thing wrong with Longview is, they have a bad habit of taking up for Marshall Good Shepherd even though Longview's findings were a lot different from Marshall's. Long story short; If you have to go to Good Shepherd, go to Longview! They won't let you die or put false statements in your reports!

I live in Fort Worth, and travel over 2 hours to see Dr. Bagnell. Why? Because it is vital to have a pediatrician who with the parent makes the very best team to care for your child. That can only happen when there is trust, respect, and agreement on what is best for the child. I can not find this in Fort Worth. I feel privileged to take my child to Dr. Bagnell. She has been a wonderful advocate for us and makes sure I have the information I need to make wise choices.

I HAD HERNIA SURGERY ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND DR MORTON DID A GREAT JOB. BEFORE HAVING THE SURGERY I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING BUT AFTER SEEING WHAT DR MORTON DID FOR ME AND HOW HE HANDLE EVERYTHING I WOULD USE HIM AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR YOUR WORK, GREAT ATTITUDE AND PERSONAL ATTENTION.

A big thank you to Dr Lutz and his staff for a job well done. Due to their care and patience, my wife Sharon Johnson still has her toes which she was in danger of losing. Thanks again to Dr Lutz and staff,

Dr. Gregory is the best physician you could ever see. He will stay on your case and answer all your questions until you are happy. Dr. Gregory is a life saver and I will only see him for my health issues.

Dr. Johansen is not a Doctor you want to go to for a colonoscopy. He don't put you out when he does it and it hurts big time to be awake while he is doing the procedure. Find any other Doctor besides him.

I haven't been to the office yet, but I was impressed by the way the nurse called me back within the hour to answer my questions and to help me with my appointment for next week.

Did You Know?

Physicians and surgeons help to keep people - from infants to the elderly - as healthy as possible. These individuals provide diagnoses and treatments for a wide variety of ailments, and preventative care and early detection for more serious illnesses. Whether you love or hate going to the doctor, the fact is your physician is there to listen to your health concerns, take preventative measures against diseases and advise you on your options for staying in tip-top shape.

In 2013, there were more than 1 million doctors of medicine in the U.S., over 854,000 of which were active. Additionally, in 2012, there were about 18,000 active general surgeons in the country. It's important to know which type of physician or surgeon you need, how to choose the best one, and account for other considerations in order to stay healthy.

Different Types of Physicians

Patients can choose from a wide variety of physicians depending on doctor specialty and what problems they are experiencing. Here are a few of the most common types of physicians that you may see in your lifetime:

General Practitioner
Your GP is the doctor that you go to for regular checkups, vaccines and to identify health issues. GPs can treat many different illnesses and injuries, from the common cold to a broken arm. If your health requires a second opinion or expert care, the GP will refer you to a specialist who has the skills to focus in on the issue.

Cardiologist
Heart attacks and heart disease are some of the most common afflictions seen across the country, making cardiologists important to your long-term health. These physicians specialize in studying and treating the heart and related diseases.

Dentist
Other than a GP, the dentist is likely the most common physician you'll ever see. These professionals work with the human mouth, ensuring that your teeth and gum health are up to par. Patients typically go to the dentist twice a year.

Dermatologist
Dermatologists are focused on skin-related issues and diseases, from skin cancers, to acute acne, eczema, psoriasis, and general cosmetic concerns like aging and scars. Most will also perform annual or semi-annual mole checks to screen for any signs of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

ENT
If you have a number of sinus infections or have had your tonsils taken out, you've likely seen an ENT specialist. ENTs handle ailments related to the ear, nose and throat, often related to taking out tonsils and treating hearing issues.

OB/GYN
For many women, their gynecologist and obstetrician are the same person. These professionals work with the female reproductive system to focus on reproductive health, fertility issues, prenatal care, options for new and expectant mothers, neonatal care and childbirth. OB/GYNs can also help in the early detection of breast or cervical cancer.

Choosing a Physician

There are obviously a number of physicians that you can choose from, but how do you know if they're the best choice for you? Here are a few considerations to help you pick a physician:

Look at Your Insurance
Before you get down to the details, you need to verify which doctors are covered by your insurance and whether they are in or out of your carrier's network. Rates may be cheaper if the doc is in network – a doctor can be covered by your insurance but not necessarily in network. Out of network is typically more expensive. Doctors often add and drop plans, so it's important to ensure that your options are compatible with your insurance plan. Doing your homework will help you avoid unexpected expenses.

Check for Board Certification
Your physician should be certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties. Doctors must earn a medical degree from a qualified school, complete three to seven years of residency training, be licensed by a state medical board and pass one or more ABMS exams to be certified.

Examine the Reviews
Reviews of a doctor can reveal a lot about what your experience may be like. People may grade on staff friendliness, availability and effectiveness of treatment. Looking at these evaluations and getting recommendations from family and friends can direct you toward a physician for your needs.

Choosing a Surgeon

Surgeons can literally hold your life in their hands, and it's important to find the best one that can put you at ease and treat you effectively

Compatibility Factor
You need to feel comfortable with your surgeon. It's important to communicate your concerns and that your surgeon can respond adequately. Surgeons should be willing to go over the details of your procedure and answer any questions that you may have. They must take the time to discuss and address your worries.

Expertise Level
If you're going in for surgery, you want someone that knows what they're doing and has a high success rate. Ask how often the surgeon performs this surgery and try to find one that regularly does it. This will give you peace of mind that you're in capable hands.

Understanding Your Insurance

Your decision on a physician or surgeon can be majorly affected by the insurance plan you have. You may have insurance through employment, your spouse, your parents if you're under 26, or the marketplace if the previous options don't apply to you. It's important to understand how your insurance works to have the full picture of what you'll need to pay for.

Your insurance will have a deductible, which is the amount that you're responsible to pay for covered medical expenses. Some plans have coinsurances, where you must pay a certain percentage of the bill, and insurance will cover the rest. Co-pays state a flat rate for certain services, like paying $20 when you visit your GP or a $100 co-pay for an emergency room visit. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, which will differ if you're an individual or within a family plan, your insurance may pay for 100 percent of covered medical expenses for the rest of the plan year.

If you plan to go to the doctor, need medication or have been recommended for surgery, call your insurance provider or go online to see what your plan covers. You can choose the best doctor for your needs, understand your options and prevent yourself from being blindsided by medical expenses.

Setting Your Appointment

Most doctors require a phone call for an appointment, although some may provide online scheduling as well. Be sure to have your insurance card with you when you set an appointment, and to bring it with you to the actual appointment. They need the ID numbers to verify your coverage, and will usually make a copy of the card for their files so you don't have to show it again unless your insurance changes.

When you call, let them know if you're a new patient, as this will require you to complete some paperwork for your first visit. Tell them the reason for your visit, such as your symptoms if you're feeling sick. It's also important to inform them if you have Medicaid and to find out if you need to bring anything to the visit, like current medications or medical records.

From here, the receptionist will likely ask what dates and times work best for you. During your call, it's important to be honest about your symptoms and the reason for your visit. This information will help the doctor treat you and give him or her an idea of what to expect. Your appointment may progress faster as a result, and the doctor can come prepared with a list of options to better care for you.

Risks

Doctors see a number of patients in a day, sometimes in 15-minute increments in areas where the physicians are in high demand. This can leave little time for doctors to perform thorough examinations, and they can end up missing certain problem indicators. While some problems, like a cold or flu, can be diagnosed in this time, more complex ailments require attention, which takes up time. Reviews can illuminate which doctors actively spend the necessary time with their patients and which ones are pressed against the clock to meet demand.

Surgery has some more dire risks attached to it, so be sure to talk to your surgeon about the potential issues that can come up as a result of your procedure. If a patient has a reaction to anesthesia, it can cause very serious complications, but this is an uncommon occurrence. Blood clots can be a significant problem after surgery, often caused by inactivity during recovery. Infections, numbness, scarring, swelling and death are all possible, but the likelihood of these issues will vary depending on the type of surgery you're undergoing. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and your risk potential.

Aftercare

Surgery affects people in different ways, but as you begin to emerge from anesthesia, you'll want to alert your nurse to any issues you may have. The nurse will tell you how the procedure went, what effect it will have on your condition, what to expect when you get home and how long it will take to get back to normal. If you start feeling pain, the nurse may give you medication to stop it from getting worse. When possible, it's also advised to move around to avoid blood clots from developing in your legs. This can be as simple as occasionally flexing your knee or rotating your foot.

Some surgeries are outpatient procedures, where people are released the same day. For major surgeries, patients may stay at the hospital for a few days to be monitored and address any concerns before being sent home. Discuss with your surgeon the projected length of the hospital stay and what you need to bring.

Recovery and Follow-up

Your recovery time and follow-up expectations will vary depending on your procedure. For example, you can be expected to be on your feet within a few days of having your wisdom teeth taken out, but it may be weeks before you have fully recovered from a broken foot or heart-valve surgery. Your surgeon will give you a list of things that you'll need to do during this time, including what medications to take and when you'll be able to get back to work and other activities.

Every surgery will have a follow-up call or appointment to discuss your recovery and allow you to ask any questions about unusual symptoms or changes in your overall health. If you have a major operation, like heart surgery, it's important to make regular checkups with your doctor or a specialist to ensure that everything is normal. Visiting a doctor will help deter infection and verify that everything is healing as expected. These appointments will give you peace of mind about your state of health and ensure that any issues are caught early on.